Berks-Lehigh Regional police force disbanding

The Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Commission on Monday voted to dissolve its police department by the end of the year, a move that was prompted by Upper Macungie Township's decision to withdraw from the commission and form its own force.

The decision comes a week after a complaint was filed by the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Officers Association accusing the four-member commission of violating the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act by excluding officers from discussions on how a withdrawal from one municipality could affect its officers.

By law, if a municipality is withdrawing from the commission, it has an obligation to "bargain the impact" of its decision with the police association, said James Gavin, attorney for the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Officers Association. "They haven't done this."

Gavin said the commission failed to address several unresolved questions relating to officers' benefits, pensions, seniority, sick time and other issues. He said the contract between the association and the commission requires the commission to discuss with officers how a municipality's withdrawal could affect them.

"The police officers are concerned about making sure there is adequate police protection for the community, but at the same time, they need to take steps to protect their families," Gavin said. "That's the bottom line. The officers respect that decisions have to be made, but they should be a part of it."

The goal, he said, is that the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board will step in and help the officers resolve these issues.

Scott Blissman, a Philadelphia attorney representing the police commission, said members have responded to Monday's decision and are fulfilling their obligations to the officers.

"The commission has already taken steps to initiate that process to negotiate the impact of the decision to disband the department," he said.